Betterhair

Coming up on the ever important 6 month mark. Will post pics on the 18th. A little OCD if you will. Similar to stopping on a round number when putting gas in your vehicle

This is just one Doctors viewpoint and take on this. One has to factor in all the variables in conjunction with differences with each individual, ie: health condition, history of smoking, etc,etc. I too ran across this video yrs ago when my stubble( different from transplanted stubble) was not growing and closely checked to see if new hairs were growing by the stubble. Just check a few months from now to assess.

Per my previous post , you evaluate 3 months from now. My point was with my previous FUT’s , 12-18 months had passed with the stubble still present, hence they had not grown, which resulted in one side less dense. Obviously with you being only one month out, you cannot assess. Another variable in all of this is the fact that everyone is different in terms of growth time, graft survival and such. If you went to a reputable clinic, with experienced technicians, you will be fine, considering you followed the post op instructions religiously and still do.

With my situation, I could tell the difference between the transplanted hair prior to shedding and some “stubble”( shorter) hairs that popped up later. Since you are only a month out, you should have already shed the transplanted hair. I shed mine at 3 weeks. If you can somehow look at this stubble close up with a magnifying mirror say 2 months from now, you might start seeing hair coming through right next to the stubble. I would not stress over this , since you went to a reputable clinic. As I mentioned before, my last FUT does have a few of this stubble but overall, new hair is coming in all over the place. Hopefully in 2-3 months you will begin to see growth. Staying positive is important! This phenomena is still a mystery to me but let’s say 30 grafts didn’t survive, that should not affect the outcome. I could be totally off base here but since I’ve had 3 FUT’s and have experienced this stubble that appears to not grow, I think that warrants some of what I’m saying.

I posted a few years ago , regarding the same situation , whereby one can feel small stubble. It’s interesting because the stubble occurs after the shedding phase, therefore it cannot be the transplanted hair shafts, as those have shed and were longer. In theory , these could be the new hairs coming through but then suddenly stop growing. I experienced an alarming number of these stubble like hairs with my 2nd FUT and those never grew, resulting in one side having less density. I just had my 3rd FUT 5 months ago and do have a few stubble not growing but nothing like before. Interestingly enough, it’s only on one side again. Unless an expert can chime in here to further explain this, we are throwing darts in the dark as to why and how this occurs. That’s my two cents

More pics under bright lighting. I’m 5 months and 1 week post op. Just had first haircut to blend new hair. I normally don’t wear short hair but this had to be done. So at 5 months the rule of thumb is 50% left to come in and then one has to factor in the maturity timeline of the hair shaft itself. Im pleased with the progression thus far and looking forward to additional growth and maturing

Thank you!

Here is a 4 1/2 month update. Obviously still early but a considerable amount is now popping through.

I will have to get the pre op pic( 3rd FUT) from the clinic. Shock loss very minimal. Regarding my 3rd FUT , I initially went in to have my crown done but upon further review and suggestions per the doc and my wife, they convinced me to add density to the front, especially since my right side after my 2nd FUT did not take very well and the hairline could use additional grafts. I also opted to go with a different surgeon on the 3rd FUT since there were a few issues with one of the techs on my 2nd FUT. $35,000 later after 3 surgeries, I am at the point to enjoy having my hair back. Its been very frustrating at times I have also been on oral finasteride for 1 year now and believe it is stabilizing my crown. If this 3rd FUT comes through nicely ( from what I can tell, its on track), then I would consider one final surgery on the crown. This last clinic was very professional, as they should be, considering the expense. Will try to get that pic.

Will post some pics this week :)

17 weeks post op and new hair coming in all over the place. I’m very excited!!

Here are a few pics. I’m 11 weeks post op. Lighting not the best.

Yes….. will get some pics posted.

For sure… I’m coming up on month 3 and new hairs are coming in all over the place. My strip scar is virtually non existent too. I will most definitely go back to this doctor and his team was phenomenal…. Very professional:)

2500 grafts at $4.50 per graft. This clinic also utilizes Acell which ensures two things: follicular growth and enhanced healing. I’m already seeing some new growth which is impressive for 2 months out which I attest to the use of Acell.

I’m two months post op. Shedding occurred right on schedule. FUT donor area has healed up incredibly well. Zero shock loss in that area. I feel and see no spacing on the suture line, beyond perfect! Excited for the next month!!

Sutures removed , grafts are nice and cozy in their new home. Can’t wait to see my new hair blossom beyond belief in a few months. My Doctor ( Scott Alexander) called me yesterday for an update. I informed him that my swelling this time was not as extreme as the previous go around. He further instructed me on additional post op care and wants pics 6 months from now. So the waiting game begins……

Countless hours of research:)

3 days post op with Dr. Scott Alexander out of Phoenix. My initial plan was to fill in my crown but…… the Doc and my wife convinced me to wait on the crown. Reasoning to do this made sense as my frontal third and mid section( even after 2 previous FUT’s) was still thin! There were many things that impressed me with Dr Alexander and his team, from the professional environment to the rotation of new techs each hour ( techs transplanted the grafts to the sites). Previous centers had the same 2 techs implanting all the grafts which in my opinion can lead to fatigue thus inhibiting the process. Im excited to see the growth! Well done Biltmore Hair Surgical!

So I get my 1 mg finasteride through Costco and noticed on the bottle that Ascend lab is the manufacturer. Founded in 2000, Ascend Laboratories distributes about 52 drugs in the U.S. It is a unit of Alkem Laboratories, a generic drugmaker in India. Ascend has 7 manufacturing sites including in the U.S. and India. I’m not a happy camper right now as some have suggested on this site to stay clear of generic finasteride manufactured in countries such as India or China. How am I supposed to know if my batch comes from a U.S. facility or one from India. I’ve wasted 4 precious month of taking this and I guess I’m going to have to start going with the real deal and literally pay for it. Thoughts??

So people that do not bald have naturally lower DHT levels and those that have to take finasteride to lower their levels to the same as those that do not bald might experience side effects , because of the levels having to be lowered artificially. Or is it that people who bald have an increase in DHT due to something else and lowering that something else is what results in possible side effects?

Great information… thank you I will definitely check into it.

FYI …… I am taking generic Finasteride from Costco and it seems to be working just fine. I guess some think generic is not as effective but since it has the same ingredients I don’t see how that could be the case.

I hope so…. Fingers crossed. Going to be interesting to see if my mid scalp and crown fills in since it’s not shiny bald. From what I’ve read… if the papillae are still intact and functioning…. There’s hope for reviving those but everyone’s response is uniquely different.

Been on oral 1 mg finasteride for 3 1/2 months now. Here’s a before prior to taking the meds and a current pic. The current pic does show some root spray I use prior to adding hair fibers , still left on the scalp but not much. I have noticed that my hair has stabilized and is not falling out. I just hope I do get some regrowth. Anyway, let me know what you think of the pics. chow for now……